Te Pūtahi – Auckland Film Studios 3 & 4
Green Buildings
Commercial
Client: Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Architect: Ignite Architects
Location: Henderson, Auckland
Completion: December 2022
Te Pūtahi is a film studio located in West Auckland designed with the New Zealand film industry and sustainability in mind.
We worked alongside the client to establish the technical requirements needed to create a super flexible building that allowed for a large range of mechanical & electrical configurations, with 1kVa of power supplied per studio. These technical specifications had to be met while balancing complex fire, acoustic and operational requirements including a nearby train line and a client requirement for no sprinklers. In addition, the studios are the first air conditioned acoustically isolated film studios in New Zealand. Each 2,000 sq m studio is capable of meeting design temperatures while handling massive stage lighting loads, and meeting stringent acoustic performance standards (NC17 sound rating).
The project has been awarded a 4 Green Star Design & As Built NZ V1.0 Built certified Rating, which represents New Zealand Best Practice. As a unique building typology there were many specific challenges to achieving a Green Star certification for a film studio. The project team worked to identify innovative ways to embed sustainable design while also meeting the challenging acoustic, fire, and load conditions. As far as the project team is aware this is the first Green Star certified film studio in New Zealand.
The building has energy efficient HVAC systems with high COPs (inverter compressors, EC fans), economiser cycles, and staged cooling. Systems use lower GWP R32 refrigerant. Ancillary spaces utilise time clocks and motion sensors for ventilation and lighting control.
The film studio has a rainwater collecting system that runs to the toilet flushing and non-potable washdown taps. Low flow fixtures and fittings are present throughout the building.
Energy and water metering, alongside a monitoring system allows the usage of the building to be tracked against its targets. The building has been constructed as ‘PV ready’ to allow future installation.
Sustainable materials were specified throughout the building. With a total of 18.5% of the materials used having some form of third party certification or recycled content (verified by Green Star Credit 21), all timber used was FSC certified, and 95% of PVC is best practice certified.
Due to the rigorous acoustic design required for an effective sound stage, a concrete heavy building emerged resulting in a low carbon concrete with a high level of cement replacement essential to the construction. Compared to the Green Star reference case the cement content of in-situ concrete was reduced by at least 15% and pre-cast concrete was reduced by at least 10%.
A high indoor air quality (IAQ) standard was achieved by specifying low VOC adhesives, sealants, and paints, supplying outdoor air at double building code, with CO2 control and high-quality LED lighting.
There are electric vehicle chargers included on site. The building is conveniently located adjacent to the Henderson train & bus station, enabling easy public transit connections.
NZIOB Collaboration award - 2023 NZ Building People Awards.
Finalist for: PCNZ Industrial Properly Award – Excellence
